Where employers shape the future microelectronics workforce
SCALE-Con
On-site registration will not be available. Register before Jan. 26
February 2-3, 2026
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.
SCALE-Con is not a traditional career fair - it’s a strategic workforce engagement experience. Instead of employers pitching opportunities, students demonstrate their engineering skills, research, and career-ready expertise - providing first-hand insight into the talent pipeline supporting secure and defense-aligned microelectronics.
SCALE-Con will bring together employers, universities, and national leaders committed to strengthening the U.S. microelectronics workfoce.
EMPLOYERS
Why Employers Should Attend SCALE-Con
See talent in action - before you hire. At SCALE-Con, students don’t just submit resumes, they present real projects, applied research and technical problem solving skills developed through the SCALE consortium.
Build a workforce pipeline, not just a candidate list. SCALE-Con enables employers to:
Engage U.S. citizen students trained for secure microelectronic roles
Connect with universities near operational sites
Influence how academic programs align with real-world industry needs
Align skills with operational needs through direct conversations with students and faculty, employers gain insight into:
Emerging technical skills
Research directions
Workforce gaps and opportunities for collaboration
These discussions help ensure future graduates are prepared for specific engineering, manufacturing, and security requirements.
Increase visibility and impact at the national level. By attending SCALE-Con, your organization becomes part of a national initiative strengthening secure microelectronics and defense-critical supply chains. Employers will also hear directly from national leadership shaping the future of the defense microelectronics workforce, offering perspective that goes beyond recruiting.
Who Should Attend from Your Organization
To maximize benefits for your organization, we encourage employers to send cross-functional teams, including:
Recruiters seeking high-caliber STEM talent
Hiring managers identifying candidates with industry-aligned skills
Working engineers who can engage with student projects and assess practical applications
Leadership exploring strategic partnerships and long-term workforce planning
Representatives from multiple company locations, enabling universities to tailor training to regional workforce needs
Benefits to Employers
Direct access to top student talent - U.S. citizens, average GPA 3.5+
Pipeline Development - through engagement with universities near your facilities
Workforce alignment - via direct dialogue with faculty and students on skills, research, and applications
National visibility & impact - as a contributor to strengthening secure microelectronics
Strategic insight - from national leaders guiding the defense microelectronics workforce
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Sunday, February 1, 2026 - Arrival and Welcome
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Research Innovation Booth Set-Up (optional)
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Check-In & Welcome Reception
Monday, February 2, 2026 - Day 1
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Check-In & Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Session & Welcome Remarks
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM University & Consortium Showcase / Tech Vertical Booths
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Networking Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:50 PM Concurrent Sessions: Professional Development / Faculty Roundtables/Industry Workshops
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Research Presentation Session
4:15 PM - 5:30 PM Design Challenge Team Pitch Competition & Collaboration
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Evening Networking Reception
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - Day 2
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 11:15 AM Keynote & Leadership Panels
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch & Tech Vertical Roundtables
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM University & Consortium Showcase / Tech Vertical Booths
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM Congressional Briefing
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Closing & Final Remarks
4:00 PM Booth Breakdown/Evaluations/Departure
Students
WHY PARTICIPATE
Showcase Your Work
Gain Exposure
Career Impact
Professional Development
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
Expo Booths
Poster Sessions
Keynote Speakers
And More!
Faculty
WHY PARTICIPATE
Faculty have a pivotal role in mentoring student teams to creatively showcase their research, while also serving as vital connectors between academia and industry. SCALE-Con is an opportunity to demonstrate how your programs and innovations directly align with government and industry applications and workforce needs.